Looking to improve on a 3-8 2012 season, the Elon University Department of Athletics released the 2013 football schedule on Monday, Feb. 18.
The schedule features the sixth matchup against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in program history on opening weekend, a rivalry renewed two weeks later and a tough awakening one week later as Southern Conference play starts.
Stopping the running game was a problem last season for the Phoenix. Elon has a new defensive coordinator in 2013 after Ed Pinkham departed to take the same position as Western Michigan University. Brad Sherrod’s defense will be tested in week one on the road against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets feature head coach Paul Johnson's deadly spread-option offense that will challenge the Phoenix on a level they’ve never seen before.
Elon opens its home portion of the schedule at Rhodes Stadium on September 7 against West Virginia Wesleyan. The Phoenix will honor members of the United States Military throughout the afternoon.
On September 14, an in-state rivalry is renewed when the Phoenix travel to Greensboro to take on North Carolina A&T. The Aggies have battled with Elon eight times throughout the years with each team winning four games.
Elon will open Southern Conference play with the Hall of Fame game as the Phoenix look to knock off the Appalachian State University Mountaineers at Rhodes Stadium on September 21. Last season, the Phoenix came out fast in Boone against the Mountaineers, but Jamal Jackson and the Mountaineer offense rebounded and ultimately came away with a 35-23 victory over the Phoenix.
Elon stays home the following weekend to take on Coastal Carolina University before going on the road to resume conference play against Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
Before coming home again, Elon stays in South Carolina to take on Wofford College. Wofford will be without Eric Breitenstein, who torched Elon last season on the ground for 321 yards and 2 touchdowns on his way to being named SoCon Player of the Year. He beat out Elon's Aaron Mellette, who finished in second place, for the honor.
Trying to avenge last year’s season-ending road loss to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Elon will welcome the Mocs to Rhodes Stadium on October 19. That will be followed by a trip to Western Carolina University to take on the Catamounts. Elon’s only conference win last season came at home against Western Carolina on October 20.
Homecoming weekend on November 9 will see the Phoenix take on another run-oriented offense in The Citadel before closing out the sixth and final home game of the season the following week against option offense Georgia Southern University. Helped by four first half turnovers against the Eagles last season, the Phoenix battled Georgia Southern down to the final seconds. Elon came up just short though as the Eagles protected their home field, winning 26-23.
Samford and Elon will close out 2013 on Nov. 23 in Birmingham, Ala.
Keep up with The Pendulum this fall for all the coverage of Elon football.